Chapter 17

Oblivious to the chaos unfolding beyond the walls of the Hamilton residence, Hazel remained quietly nestled inside. The bridal shop had just delivered her wedding gowns, and she was carefully trying them on, one by one. Hugo was meant to stay by her side, but an urgent work matter had pulled him away. He had promised to return as soon as he could. When Freddy finally arrived, the sight that greeted him at the door took his breath away. It had been some time since they last met, and Hazel was even more beautiful than he remembered. He hadn't truly felt the weight of his longing until now. Now that he was seeing her like this, he realized how deeply he had missed her. Standing before the full-length mirror, the white wedding dress flowed gracefully to the floor, accentuating her smooth, porcelain skin. At that moment, Freddy was overwhelmed by a flashback to that night from the past. Delirious and disoriented, Hazel had come to him, caught between her own confusion and the weight